Shillong (Meghalaya), Jan 1: In a major move to safeguard its indigenous population, Meghalaya is poised to introduce an Inner Line Permit (ILP)-like system, aiming to regulate the entry of outsiders and curb unabated migration. The Union government has responded positively to the state’s proposal under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, paving the way for stricter controls on who enters the state.
The proposed system will make it mandatory for outsiders, including Indian citizens and foreign nationals, to register at designated entry points, a move expected to provide stronger legal teeth to tackle illegal migration, particularly from Bangladesh.
While the state government has been pushing for ILP implementation, citing concerns over demographic changes and land alienation, some groups, like the Hynniewtrep Youths’ Council (HYC), are skeptical, demanding a full-fledged ILP with the same legal authority as the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873.
The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, is set to discuss the proposal with Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, amid growing concerns over the state’s changing demographics. The move has sparked intense interest in Meghalaya, with many wondering what it means for the state’s future.
